'
Thereat they all laughed and fell to their victual, which was
abundant, of wood-venison and mountain-fowl, but of bread was no
great plenty; wine lacked not, and that of the best; and Gold-mane
noted that the cups and the apparel of the horns and mazers were not
of gold nor gilded copper, but of silver; and he marvelled thereat,
for in the Dale silver was rare.
So they ate and drank, and Gold-mane looked ever on the Friend, and
spake much with her, and he deemed her friendly indeed, and she
seemed most pleased when he spoke best, and led him on to do so.
Wild-wearer was but of few words, and those somewhat harsh; yet was
he as a man striving to be courteous and blithe; but of the others
Bow-may was the greatest speaker.
Wild-wearer called healths to the Sun, and the Moon, and the Hosts of
Heaven; to the Gods of the Earth; to the Woodwights; and to the
Guest. Other healths also he called, the meaning of which was dark
to Gold-mane; to wit, the Jaws of the Wolf; the Silver Arm; the Red
Hand; the Golden Bushel; and the Ragged Sword. But when he asked the
Friend concerning these names what they might signify, she shook her
head and answered not.
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